WBC 2026: Chinese Taipei Stays Alive With Wild Extra-Inning Win Over Korea (First Ever)

Chinese Taipei won its first-ever game against Korea in the World Baseball Classic—5-4 in 10 innings—in Pool C on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, keeping its slim hopes of advancing alive. More than 40,000 fans (mostly from Taiwan) filled the dome as Kun-Yu Chiang's sacrifice bunt down the first-base line—all of two feet—plated Chieh-Hsien Chen from third in the top of the 10th for the winning run. Chen, the MVP of the 2024 Premier12 (Chinese Taipei's first gold) and team captain, had been sidelined since being hit in the hand in the first game; he said tears came to his eyes after the win: "We never gave up and neither did the fans." Manager Hao-Jiu Tseng said: "At the end of the game, we played as one united, and finally we got the win."

Stuart Fairchild (Guardians) hit a two-run homer in the eighth to give Chinese Taipei the lead before Do-Yeong Kim (KBO's youngest 30/30 player in 2024) tied it again with a double. Yu Chang had homered in the first off Hyun Jin Ryu (Korea's starter in his first national-team appearance since 2009); Tsung-Che Cheng (Red Sox prospect) hit a solo shot in the sixth; Kim's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth had tied it at 3. In the bottom of the 10th, Nien-Ting Wu fielded a grounder and threw home to Shao-Hung Chiang to nail Ju Won Kim at the plate trying to tie the game—the call was challenged and upheld. Stuart Fairchild said: "That was one of the most fun ballgames I've ever played in my life. It was back and forth the entire way … and to come through at the end and win by one was remarkable." The top two teams from Pool C advance to the quarterfinals in Miami (March 13–14). Chinese Taipei is 2-2; Korea is 1-2. Korea manager Ji-Hyun Ryu said they still have a "slight possibility" to advance and will get ready for the next game.

How the game unfolded

Hyun Jin Ryu (38) started for Korea and was solid for three innings save for Yu Chang's solo homer in the first. Ruey-Guei Gu Lin (Nippon-Ham Fighters) nearly matched him for four innings; the only run charged to him came on a double-play grounder by Shay Whitcomb (Astros) in the fifth. Cheng's solo shot in the sixth gave Chinese Taipei the lead; Kim's two-run homer in the bottom of the inning—he hurled his bat in the air—tied it at 3. Fairchild's two-run homer in the eighth put Chinese Taipei back in front; Kim's double in the bottom of the eighth drove in Hyeseong Kim to tie it again and send the game to extras.

In the 10th, Chen reached and advanced; Chiang's bunt brought him home. Chinese Taipei then held Korea in the bottom half, with the out at the plate preserving the 5-4 final. Chen said: "I've been watching the World Baseball Classic since I was a kid, and I know we never defeated Korea. But now in this tournament I'm part of the Chinese Taipei team, so I have a responsibility to beat them. We have power, we have strength, and we have luck. Put them all together and we won—finally—for the younger generation." Chinese Taipei can advance for only the second time in tournament history if tiebreakers fall its way.

Pool C context and what's next

Pool C at Tokyo Dome is one of the toughest groups in the 2026 WBC. Japan had already qualified for the quarterfinals; Australia, Korea, and Chinese Taipei are fighting for the second spot or tiebreaker positioning. Chinese Taipei's first-ever WBC win over Korea keeps the pool wide open. Pool play runs through March 11; every game will shape who advances to Miami.

Names to watch for AthX

Stuart Fairchild (Guardians) had the crucial two-run homer and was the hero in the 14-0 win over Czechia the day before. Yu Chang (former MLB), Tsung-Che Cheng (Red Sox prospect), Chieh-Hsien Chen, and Ruey-Guei Gu Lin are key names. Korea features Hyun Jin Ryu, Do-Yeong Kim (KBO), and Shay Whitcomb (Astros). WBC performance does not affect dynamic pricing—AthX prices are driven by MLB performance—but a strong tournament can boost narrative and demand before Opening Day.

What It Means for AthX

WBC stats don't count in dynamic pricing; AthX share prices are based on MLB playing time and results. Still, WBC results can shape narrative and demand for players like Fairchild and Cheng. Use the WBC as a lead-in to see who's in form, then browse the marketplace to see how MLB players are valued on AthX.

*Sources: MLB.com – Instant Classic: Chinese Taipei stays alive with wild extra-inning win over Korea; official WBC Pool C results. Fact-checked March 8, 2026.*